WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have hired Tony Tarasco as their first-base and outfield coach and shifted Trent Jewett from first-base coach to third-base coach, the team announced on Wednesday. The rest of the coaching staff -- bench coach Randy Knorr, hitting coach Rick Eckstein, pitching coach Steve McCatty and bullpen coach Jim Lett -- will return for another season.

Jewett spent the last year-plus as the team's first-base coach. He takes over at third to fill the vacancy left by Bo Porter, who was recently named the manager of the Astros. Jewett is considered a managerial candidate for the Nationals when Davey Johnson retires from managing after the 2013 season.

Tarasco has spent the last few years as a Minor League outfield coordinator for the Nationals. He is credited for helping Bryce Harper become an above-average outfielder. Tarasco will replace Porter as the outfield coach, while also coaching first base.

The Nationals considered Tony Beasley as a candidate to become the third-base coach, but they were in need of an outfield coach. Beasley is an infield coach.

Eckstein and McCatty return for their fifth seasons on the coaching staff, while Lett and Knorr enter their fourth and third campaigns, respectively. Knorr is also considered a managerial candidate for after Johnson retires.